Former Top 3 Draft Pick Struggles Financially After contract Dispute Leads to Unfavorable $56 Million Cincinnati Bengals Deal
Avoid the Cincinnati Bengals for Easier Contract Talks
Are you tired of lengthy contract negotiations? Maybe steer clear of the Bengals.
After securing long-term deals for stars like Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Burrow, things looked promising. But Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart are still stuck in contract talks.
The billionaire Bengals owner, Mike Brown, is famous for his love of grueling negotiations. He's like a dog with a bone—he won't let go until the deal is done, often to the frustration of players and fans alike.
If you're not familiar, back in 1999, No.3 pick Akili Smith held out for 27 days, with Cincinnati fans seeing this all before. The Cleveland Browns had selected Tim Couch with the first overall pick—one of many busts at quarterback for them. Donovan McNabb went on to have a brilliant career with the Eagles, while the Bengals could've had hall-of-famers like Edgerrin James, Champ Bailey, or Daunte Culpepper.
But Mike Brown and crew had their sights set on Akili Smith, despite concerns from head coach Bruce Coslet and offensive coordinator Kenny Anderson. In typical Bengals fashion, Smith's agent and Smith himself missed out on valuable reps during negotiations. Oops.
The result? Akili Smith's career went up in smoke. He bet on himself, but ultimately couldn't get it done. Lesson learned? If the Bengals come a-knockin', it might be best to keep running.
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In the world of American sports, negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals can be as challenging as an MMA bout or a game of football. Despite securing deals for stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow, the team is known for prolonged contract talks with players such as Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. The notoriously tenacious Bengals owner, Mike Brown, is infamous for his hard-nosed approach, often leading to disappointment among players and fans. This history is well-illustrated by the case of No.3 pick Akili Smith in 1999, who held out for 27 days only to see his career dwindle. As NFL action unfolds in various quarters, keep an eye on players like Travis Kelce, Saquon Barkley, and the Detroit Lions, who continue to make headlines both on and off the field.
